October 2009 - Magnetic Die Clamping for Cupping Presses

A Magnetic Attraction

Any innovation that saves time in a canmaking operation is always welcome, and Stolle is pleased to announce an exciting new innovation for our cupping systems that will be appreciated by canmakers.  Stolle’s new magnetic die clamping option can significantly cut the time it takes to change a cupping die set, allowing the can line to resume production faster after a size changeover.

According to Bob Turnbull, Field Service Manager at Stolle Canton, “Our magnetic die clamping system is a proven technology that’s been used in the automotive and appliance industries for several years, where quick changing of die sets is common.  We’re the first company to apply it to the canmaking industry.”  Stolle is currently offering this system for the inner die set (punch), since it is the most time consuming die to access and change on a cupping press.  However, magnetic clamping can be installed on the outer  (blank) and lower die sets to gain additional time savings.

The magnetic die clamping system uses no moving parts and is completely fail-safe.  It consists of a magnetic  plate that is bolted to the inner slide, and an electrical control system.  When the control system applies a DC current to the plate for 1-2 seconds, the plate will become either magnetized or demagnetized, and remain that way indefinitely until a newcurrent is applied.  “This technology means that the die set remains firmly attached even when no power is supplied to the press” says Jared Lewis, Engineering Manager at Stolle Canton. “As an added safety feature, proximity sensors in the magnetic plate shut the press down if a gap of more than .007” is detected during operation.  These sensors also prevent the plate from being magnetized unless the die shoe is present.”  The clamping system continually monitors itself, displaying the magnetic holding power at all times.  Since the magnetic field never extends more than 20mm from the plate, it prevents the die set itself from becoming magnetized.  And by distributing the clamping force evenly over the die set, there are less stress points on the die.

“The old adage ‘time is money’ is especially true in the canmaking industry” says Mike Raderchak, Senior Product Director of Can Metal Forming.  “When this system is installed in conjunction with our programmable servo roll feed system, cup size changeover times are slashed and the line can resume production faster than ever.  This technology has a real quick payback for the investment.”

For more information about Stolle’s magnetic die clamping system, please contact Mike Raderchak at Stolle Canton at +1 300 244-0558 or mike.raderchak@stollemachinery.com.